FIRST, please respond to one of the following options. Please clearly indicate which option you have chosen at the top of your writing.:
Option 1: A Realist artist like Rabindranath Tagore takes up the cause of the unfortunate of society: the treatment of the downtrodden and outsiders like the members of the bird-catcher clan and the foreign traveling peddlers. Tagore belonged to the brahmin clan, one of the highest. Compare his “Realist” presentation with that of Aphra Behn’s presentation of African slaves. How is Tagore a good or bad spokesperson for the lower clans or for foreigners? Does he improve or not on Aphra Behn’s presentation: genre, writing technique, character? Explain. Refer to the primary texts: “Punishment”, “Kabuliwala” and Oroonoko.
Option 2: A Realist artist like Rabindranath Tagore takes up the cause of women: brides, wives and widows. Henrik Ibsen stated he was not a feminist, but he believed that women were equal and should be treated equally. Compare Tagore’s and Ibsen’s presentation of the difficulties that women experience. Are they realistic portrayals? Why or why not? Explain. Refer to the primary texts: “Punishment”, “Kabuliwala” and Oroonoko.
This original post must be 200 words total, contain specific references (quotations and paraphrases with page or line numbers) to the text with full citation, and proofread for spelling and grammar. This first writing must be posted by 11:59 pm Wednesday, in order to allow for discussion. Students will not be able to see peer posts until the original post is submitted.
In addition to posting your response to one of the options above, your initial post should also contain a question or observation you have about the text that can further advance text discussion.
